Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-09-02
THE BRIGHAMzUBLA TROUBLE.

Inc ulIuCuIty winch occurred between
Consul Brigham Of Paso del Norte and
the Mexican Judge Zubis, as telegraphed
THE GAZETTE, is likely to lead to a diplo-
matte CORES Ondence between this gov
eminent and the sister republic of an I'M
usual nature. Heretofore complaints OF
Mexican insolence and outrage have been
confined to attacks upon The individual
citizen in his capacity as such, but the
assault upon Consul Brigham, I correctly
reported, is TN attack upon the govern
men5 itself. 1t is matter Of surprise
that judge, occupying the position
which Judge Iubie holds, should so ter
forget himself as to commit an act which
might possibly embroil his country in
war with g neighboring state which must
result in e speedy triumph Of the latter,
but the reports sent TO Washington By
Consul Brigham and Colonel Cowart
would indicate that such is the case. 1t
should be remembered however, that due
allowance must be made for excitement
and passion in the ex parte statement be-
fore US and final Judgment should be sus-
pended until the facts in the case are fully
set forth and the offence clearly establish
ed. That Mexican Judges and officials
are arrogant aud insolent we ali know;
that the courts of justice, so-cslled, are
engines of revenge and blacknsil very
often, is q tsct not disputed, but the case
under consideration bears on its face the
possibility of wrong-doing on both sides.
According to their own statements the
American officials had been waiting
several days to secure en- audience from
the Mexican Judge. This, Of course, was
annoying, and enough to try the patience
Of any one severely. Finally a day wss
set for 8 hearing OF the cause, and st the
hour named, the Americans appeared ct
the Judges court and awaited his pleas
ure one hour, but he failed 80 keep his
promise DY putting in ca appearance.
This was quite exasperating. The
Americans then proceeded to the private
residence of the Mexican Judge "to
ascertain why ne did not try the case -
Failing to obtsin satisfaction, our consul
was struck Just as he left the Judges
residence. He assures US that nothing
insulting occurred during the visit, but
that IS he left, the Judge followed him
outside the door and struck him. This
may be literally true, but it is not accord
! ing 10 the natural order of things. When
we consider Consul Brigham's frame of
mind after being worried for several days,
after waiting in vain at the courtroom and
after an interview at the Judges
residence which had terminated with
out accomplishing its purpose,
we may well believe that our represent
alive was thoroughly irrilated and dis
gusted, and an offensive word as he left
the Judges presence was one OF the most
natural things in the world. That the
Mexican Judge was aIso in frame ct
mind to resent an insult when thrown al
him IS Parthian arrow, we msy well be-
lieve, but that he should leave his house,
where everything was in his favor, anC
attack Consul Brigham on the stree
where be would have, at least, only sr
equal showing, does not appear probable
especially when 10 cause was given fol
the assault. Consul Brigham assert:
that he has been insulted "while in the
discharge Of his duty" This also i.
questionable. 1t is not the duty of 81
American consul to hunt up personally
Mexican officials, cor does this countr7
require Of its consuls to invade the pri-
vate residences OF Mexican officials to as
certain why they do not co thus and so
For all official business Judge Zubia hat
q court and place wherein it may b
transacted, and his private residence i!
sacred to himself and his family.
these precincts are invaded by an Amer
lean consul, he goes there as gu American
citizen on his own individual responsible
ity, and not as g representative OF thi!
government. The conduct Of Judge Zubi!
while st his home is also the conduct O
q private citizen, and not Of q Judge. |
Consul Brigham could not obtain hear
ing, and if there were unreasonable delsyi
in the administration of justice, It is NJ
more than what occurs at home every day
Unlike these delays which yex litigant.
| in American courts, Consul Brigham hs(
, his remedy by appealing to higher otti
GERS of his home government, who woulC
have adopted the proper means OF bring
. ing the recusant Judge to terms. It va
not his province to invade the privacy O
that judges residence, nor was that judg,
required by law or international comit7